incite to act

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incite to act" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the encouragement or provocation of someone to take action or engage in a specific behavior. Example: "The speaker aimed to incite the audience to act on the pressing social issues presented during the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

French leaders, concerned about the ticking clock, appeared to be trying to incite Britain to act faster.

The Washington Post

He dispatched Timocrates of Rhodes, an Asiatic Greek, to distribute ten thousand gold darics in the major cities of the mainland and incite them to act against Sparta.

Wikipedia

The show is a case study in how the exhibiting artists have taken their practices beyond museum gallery walls to change minds and incite governments to act.  .

Vice

The message that "let not the enmity of a people incite you to act other than with justice" is the only true means of uniting nations.

Huffington Post

Here is a quick reminder of the Quranic teaching: "O ye who believe! be steadfast in the cause of Allah, bearing witness in equity; and let not a people's enmity incite you to act otherwise than with justice.

Huffington Post

The Quran has laid three basic principles to resolve political conflicts in the following verses: "let not a people's enmity incite you to act other than with justice.

Huffington Post

"A group situated in Syria … is organising attacks [with] actors situated in Belgium who are not known to our services, and is inciting them to act on French territory, just like they incite them to act in other European cities," Cazeneuve said in an interview on France 2 TV.

The Guardian

"He went on a sustained attack that has lasted for years, accusing shattered family members of being actors, stating as fact that the shooting itself was a hoax and inciting others to act on these malicious lies," Koskoff said.

Huffington Post

Outside the courts, mobs can be quickly incited to acts of murder by fire-breathing mullahs.Accusations of blasphemy soar: just one in 2011; over 100 in 2014.

The Economist

Todd Shanker, a lawyer representing David Stone Jr., asserted that those two men tried to incite the defendants to act violently but that the Hutaree members did nothing illegal.

The New York Times

But, by effectively and persistently imposing costs on the state protestors can hope to incite the government to act on their behalf.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incite to act", ensure that the action being incited is clearly defined and contextually appropriate. Unclear or ambiguous actions can weaken the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "incite to act" excessively in overly dramatic or sensational contexts. Overuse can diminish its impact and credibility; instead, opt for more nuanced verbs to convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incite to act" functions as an infinitive phrase, often serving as a verb phrase complement. It describes the purpose or intended outcome of an action, indicating an effort to provoke or encourage someone to take action. Ludwig AI confirms its usage is correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incite to act" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe the action of encouraging or provoking someone to take action. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct in written English. Its usage is most frequent in news and media, and the phrase generally carries a neutral register. When writing, ensure that the intended action is clearly defined and avoid overuse in sensational contexts. Alternatives such as "motivate to act" or "spur to action" can provide nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provoke action

Focuses on the provocation aspect, implying a strong reaction is desired.

spur to action

Suggests a more immediate and energetic prompting.

motivate to act

Emphasizes the internal drive and reason for acting.

encourage action

Implies a gentler and more supportive push towards taking action.

prompt to act

Suggests a timely and relevant stimulus for action.

urge to take action

Highlights the strong recommendation or plea to do something.

drive to action

Focuses on a forceful impetus that compels someone to act.

stimulate to action

Emphasizes the activation or energizing effect leading to action.

inspire action

Suggests a more profound and uplifting influence that leads to action.

galvanize into action

Implies a sudden and dramatic awakening or mobilization.

FAQs

How can I use "incite to act" in a sentence?

You can use "incite to act" to describe someone or something that encourages or provokes action. For example: "The speaker aimed to incite the audience to act on the pressing social issues." or "The organization's campaign sought to incite the government to act on climate change".

What are some alternatives to "incite to act"?

You can use alternatives like "motivate to act", "prompt to act", or "encourage action" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "incite to act" and "encourage to act"?

"Incite to act" implies a stronger, potentially more provocative form of encouragement, while "encourage to act" suggests a gentler, more supportive push. Incitement often carries a sense of urgency or intensity that encouragement might lack.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "incite to act"?

"Incite to act" is typically used in contexts where there is a need for urgent or decisive action, especially when addressing social, political, or ethical issues. It is also common in describing actions that might be considered controversial or radical.